investor Archives - Don't Stop Us Now

Future Proof Me: 3 Founder Essentials

August 24, 2021August 24, 2021
by Claire

We’ve been thinking about the impact the global pandemic has had on peoples’ careers and one thing that’s been happening is many folk have been wondering whether it’s time for a career change and, in particular, whether they should start their own business.

So for today’s mini episode, we’ve chosen to share some brilliant advice for founders and potential founders from the successful British entrepreneur, Debbie Wosskow OBE.

Debbie is well known for building and selling her online home exchange business, Love Home Swap for £53 million.

Not only that, Debbie is now co-founder of another business called AllBright, an education and networking organisation designed to provide skills and connections to working women particularly in the UK but also internationally. We talked all about AllBright when we first spoke with Debbie on the show some years ago.

Having sold her own start-up and also being a start-up investor, Debbie knows first hand what it takes to build a business from scratch and, as you’ll hear, there are 3 key things she believes founders need.

Useful Links

Debbie’s full interview episode – Debbie Wosskow, OBE – What It Takes To Be A Successful Female Entrepreneur

AllBright Website

The AllBright Academy

TheAllBright on Twitter

Debbie on Linkedin

Debbie on Twitter

Book on Grit – by Angela Duckworth

Future Proof Me Mini Episode

Future Proof Me – The Value of Dreaming Big

February 9, 2021February 9, 2021
by Claire

This week’s mini ‘Future Proof Me’ episode is all about the power of dreaming big. One person who’s a passionate believer in the power of the dreams we make for ourselves is stationery and Swedish design entrepreneur, Kristina Karlsson – the founder of kikki.K.

We had Kristina on the show around the time her business went into voluntary administration last year. It was a perfect storm and COVID was the last straw.

However, the great news is that in August last year they found an investor and the brand and business lives on, still with Kristina and her husband Paul continuing to run the business.

Kristina makes a big distinction between goal setting and dreaming. Goal setting is a rational process where you take reality into account, while dreaming, she says, is where you let go of reality and really think about what you would most love to happen – to create your dream life.

We also love how Kristina stresses you don’t have to be special to achieve great things….

Win One of Kristina’s ‘Your Dream Life’ books

We’re thrilled to say we have three copies of Kristina’s book ‘Your Dream Life Starts Here’ to give away to listeners keen to follow the seven steps Kristina mentions in this mini episode.

Simply email us at hello@dontstopusnow.co and tell us in less than 50 words why it’s important to you to be able to think and dream bigger.

Entries close COB Wednesday, 24 February 2021. Winners will be notified by email.

Useful Links

Kristina’s Dream Life website – including Kristina’s new online course

kikki.K website

Interview

Deanne Weir – Following Her Passions

June 2, 2020June 2, 2020
by Claire

This week on the show we’re excited to introduce you to Deanne Weir, a former media lawyer and executive; turned media entrepreneur, investor and company director.

Deanne started her career as a corporate lawyer in Australia and spent years in the telco and television sectors. She became one of the most respected executives in the broadcast industry.

In 2012, as a member of the senior leadership team and a shareholder of Austar, an Australian cable TV company, she played a key role in the sale of the company. The capital she personally earnt from the sale, gave Deanne the opportunity to start her own investment company and start a new career.

Her company, WeirAnderson.com, invests in entrepreneurs and storytellers in the media and social sectors to help them change the world. She is the Chair of three start-ups including one in data and analytics and one in AI, as well as supporting numerous not for profits including being Chair of the Sydney Film Festival and Global Sisters.

In this conversation you’ll learn:

How Deanne’s upbringing in a regional town in Australia shaped her desire to change the landscape for women
What she learnt as an investor when three of her investments failed all around the same time
Why Deanne thinks there will be massive change after COVID-19 and the type of conversations we need to be having about the world we want to live in
And, ways we can all personally make a difference in society and effect change.

Enjoy this conversation with the driven and passionate Deanne Weir.

Links of Interest

Deanne on LinkedIn

WeirAnderson

WeirAnderson Foundation

Seer Data & Analytics

AI-Media

Hoodlum

Sydney Film Festival – Starts June 10th 2020 online

Global Sisters

The Australian Institute – they offer many interesting webinars, some of which Deanne has tuned into

Interview

Naomi Simson – The Renowned Entrepreneur 1000s of Small…

April 7, 2020April 7, 2020
by Claire

We have a brilliant episode for you this week with the renown entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor Naomi Simson. Given these unprecedented times, this is just the tonic we needed and we think you will love her too.

On the topic of COVID-19, wherever you’re listening to us from, we hope you’re safe and well and not doing it too tough. Please know that you are not alone, #weareinthistogether . As you’ll hear in this episode, Naomi has some great thoughts for what leaders and businesses need to be thinking about.

Nearly 20 years ago, Naomi took her savings and founded her online business ‘RedBalloon’ when she was a Mum of two small children. The site she built is an aggregator of a vast variety of experiences that people can buy vouchers for from thousands of tourism and adventure operators around Australia and NZ, and they’re expanding internationally as well.

Today the ‘Big Red Group’ has 5 separate businesses under its umbrella with revenue over $70 million and literally millions of experiences sold to date. Thousands of small businesses rely on her company to deliver them customers, a big deal normally and an even bigger one now with COVID-19.

Naomi is also well known for sharing her positivity and business wisdom as a keynote speaker and author of two books.

In this episode you’ll hear Naomi talk about:

How she’s feeling in these uncertain times and how she’s coping with COVID 19 consequences
Her experience of stepping out of her business after splitting from her husband, only to later secretly buy back the company
What Naomi looks for when startups are pitching to her for investment
Why you’ll always see her wearing something red, and
Her advice to you in these times of uncertainty.

So stay safe, get comfy, and enjoy this episode with the super positive and impressive Naomi Simson.

One final note from us, given our leadership development business has understandably lost revenue, we’ve decided it’s timely to trial one or two ads at the beginning or end of each episode whilst taking great care not to damage your listening experience. This is a way to help us with all the hours we spend on bringing each episode to you. Thank you for being part of our community.

Links of interest

Naomi’s website

Redballoon

Big Red Group

Naomi’s books: Live What You Love & Ready to Soar